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“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the
future.” John F. Kennedy.

There are no shortage of quotes or books on the topic of change. Change is a hot topic in all industries.
The Director of HR, Leo Pena, and I recently conducted a training, in our Florida Division, on the theme of
Embracing Change. The curriculum for the training came from Development Dimensions International,
DDI, of which half of their clients are listed on the most recent Fortune 500. In this blog post, I want to hit
some of the highlights from Embracing Change, developed by DDI. Knowing where you are on the DDI
Change IQ Continuum can help you move along the continuum and embrace the changes that might be
occurring in your work environment.

First, let’s define what embracing change means. DDI defines embracing change as when you are able to
find the benefits of the change, work with others to make the change work, and then commit to its
continuous improvement. For some people, accepting and applying changes happens easily, but for
others, change may take more time and effort to accept and apply. There are 3 Phases of Change on the
DDI Change IQ Continuum which include disorientation, reorientation, and integration.

The Disorientation Phase occurs when there is misunderstanding and doubt. People often feel anxious
and confused as they struggle to accept and adjust to their new circumstances. How do you move along
the Change IQ Continuum and out of the disorientation phase? Sometimes you can apply lessons learned
from previous similar change experiences that you have encountered. It is important to consider the
impact the change will have on your business. Ask yourself, “What good could come of this change in
terms of budget, time, profitability, customers, and competition?”. By focusing on the improvements
that can occur, your emotional response to the change will be more positive.

A greater sense of control and confidence is a sign you are in the Reorientation Phase. Another hallmark
of this stage is when you become the voice of support and encouragement for others. Sharing productive
ideas and thoughts with others can help you and others to embrace the change. Simply put, you have
become more comfortable with the change and are helping others to reach that same level of comfort.
How can you move to the final phase on the Change IQ Continuum? You can network with others and
share lessons learned, expectations, and progress. Commit to being part of the implementation. Creating
sort-term goals help you to embrace the change. As you accomplish each of these goals, a celebration will
give you feelings of accomplishment and positivity. Don’t forget to celebrate the small steps!